Can I be sure I'm conclusively negative

[worriedgal7]

Hi,
I had a risky encounter 16 weeks ago - unprotected intercourse that I stopped before any fluids exchanged, drunken stupid mistake that is completely out of character for me. The guy was an acquaintance that I did ask afterward about HIV because I M so paranoid about it and he said there was no chance. I am a constant worrier and all these crazy thoughts went through my head because I didn't know him that well. Anyway, I had some vague symptoms afterward like a nagging sore throat that could have been attributed to allergies or a chronic sinus infection. I had almost completely gotten it out of my mind when I got a bad canker sore about 7 weeks after the incident. I had a slight freak out and decided to go ahead and test the next week (8 weeks post possible exposure) with the oraquick home test which came back negative. I have continued to have recurrent canker sores since then - I think are more attributable to stress than anything else, and have also continued to test to ease my anxiety. I have taken 6 oraquick home tests at 8,9,11,12,13, and 15 weeks post possible exposure all coming back negative. I realize my problem is anxiety more than anything else just wanted some reassurance that I can rely on these tests as conclusive results because I'm embarrassed to talk to anyone about my mistake. Lastly, I do like to enjoy a glass of wine during the week after work and a few drinks on the weekends - can alcohol slow seroconversion, or can I finally put this to rest and conclude my recurrent canker sores are definitely from some other than HIV - probably stress I know. Thanks in advance for listening to my neuroticness 

[Jeff G]

Hi Gal ... the window period for HIV testing is 6 weeks post exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the results , so if you ever find your self in this situation again
 ( hope not ) you will know its no good and a waste to test weekly .

Your post 6 weeks results were a good indication that you are HIV negative and since you tested 1 week out from 3 months I would say its not going to change . Its your call but I wouldn't think you need further hiv testing at this time .

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED FURTHER HIV TESTING AT THIS TIME for this incident , anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!